Palestinian Ambassador to Czech Republic Dies in Home Explosion

The Palestinian ambassador to the Czech Republic has been killed in an explosion at his apartment.

Authorities say the blast was most likely an accident.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry says the explosion occurred Wednesday morning as Ambassador Jamal al-Jamal was opening an old safe that had been brought from the previous embassy to the new one.

Czech police say the ambassador was seriously injured in the blast and taken to a hospital where he later died. They say a 52-year old woman at the residence was also hospitalized for smoke inhalation and shock.

Officials say it is not immediately know how the explosives got into the safe, although some reports say it may have been part of a security device on the unit.

The Palestinian foreign ministry says it is sending a delegation to Prague to assist in the investigation.